New wearable tech generates power whilst enhancing comfort

At the heart of this discovery is amphiphiles, which is a type of molecule that is often used to reduce friction. Amphiphiles can be found in everyday products like lotions, soaps, and detergents where they help materials to slide smoothly over the skin and prevent chafing.

Now researchers from NC State University, the University of Delaware, and the Air Force Research Laboratory have found a way to use these molecules in wearable electronics to create materials that not only feel more comfortable but also use static electricity to generate power.

Balancing comfort and energy generation

The researchers set out to develop a model that would provide a fundamental understanding of how different amphiphiles affect the surface friction of various materials. This model helps explain the molecular basis for friction reduction and allows engineers to tailor a material’s properties for different applications.

They then conducted a series of experiments to see if these amphiphiles could be incorporated into materials used in haptic energy harvesters – devices that generate power from touch and movement. Through these experiments, the researchers found that they could not only generate electricity, but they could also reduce the friction that people wearing these materials experience.

How it works

When materials rub together, they can create a small static charge, much like when you rub a balloon on your hair and it sticks to a wall, or when you rub your socks along the carpet then touch a conductive object like a doorknob or something metal. This process is called triboelectrification and it is a well-known way to generate energy. However, materials used for this purpose have usually felt uncomfortable on the skin. This is where the amphiphiles come it. The researchers found that some amphiphiles could form an ultra-smooth layer on fabric while also improving its ability to generate static electricity.

Some of these molecules even have electronic properties that allow them to donate electrons when they come into contact with other materials. This means that when the amphiphile-coated material rubs against human skin, it creates a charge that can be captured and used to power small electronic devices.

Impressive results

In proof-of-concept tests, the researchers found that their material could generate up to 300 volts – a significant amount for such a small, lightweight fabric.

The study also found that the slipperier the material, the more comfortable it was for users. Participants in tactile tests overwhelmingly preferred the smoother, amphiphile-coated surfaces over uncoated ones.

This discovery opens doors for a range of new technologies, including self-powered smart textiles, wearable medical sensors, and haptic feedback systems for virtual and augmented reality.

The findings were published in Science Advances in a paper titled ‘Compressing Slippery Surface-Assembled Amphiphiles for Tunable Haptic Energy Harvesters’.